Surgical appliance



Filed Nov. 10, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 1, 1943. s. T. NEVINS SURGICAL APPLIANCE Filed Nov. 10, 1941 2 Sheets -Sheet 2 Patented 'June 1, 1943 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,320,736 SURGICAL APPLIANCE Sol T. Nevins, Brooklyn, N. Y; Application November 10, 1941, Serial No. 418,568

4 Claims. (01. 128-158) This invention relates to surgical appliances in the nature of a health preserver, and more particularly to a suspensory for supporting the scrotum sack and testicles.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character which is supported wholly by the wearers garments, thereby eliminating supporting straps, harness and buckles from contacting the wearers skin, with resultant deleterious effects.

A further object of the invention is to provide a health preserver and suspensory of the above mentioned character including a unique supporting structure for supporting the suspensory so that the same will automatically adjust itself to the size and shape of the scrotum and penis, whereby the testicles will be supported comfortably and without undue pressure.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a health preserver and suspensory of the above mentioned character including an open pocket for the reception of the scrotum and penis so that flaps formed on the pocket may be adjustably secured together by means of a snap fastener so that the suspensory may be adjusted to the desired size of the wearer and thereby eliminate the purchase of suspensories of various sizes to fit the desire of the wearer.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a suspensory of the above mentioned character which is supported by the shirt and trousers of the wearer so that when the trousers sag atthe waist-line, the wearer will be notified of such s'agging'by a pull on the shirt at the neck portion thereof, whereby the wearer can then raise the trousers totheir normal position which will release the pull on the neck portion of the shirt and will set the suspensory in a corresponding normal supporting position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a suspensory which is supported from the Wearers shirt adjustably so that easy adjustments may be had by raising or lowering the supporting strap. I A

A still further object of the invention is to provide a suspensory of the above mentioned character which may be left attached to the shirt of the wearer so that during dressing periods the suspensory may be quickly and easily placed in position without requiring numerous adjustments and the like.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a health preserver or suspensory of the above mentioned character which is supported and'suspendedfrom the shirt by means of a slidmg and swivel connection so thatturning of the waist and hips bythe wearer will not exert a pull on the suspensory in a direction opposite to its support. 7 V

A still further object of the invention is to provide a health preserver'and suspensory which may be easily detached from the supporting straps, at the swivel connection, tofacilitate laundering of the suspensory when the. same becomes soiled.

A still further object is to provide a suspensory from which the penis may be removed at will and which may be removed from the scrotum sack when desired'by the wearer to facilitate defecation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a suspensory having. its inner surface lined with a soft material which will not chafe the parts being supported and the surrounding areas, such as the thighs.' r

A still further object of the invention is to provide asuspensory of the above mentioned character which may be wornwithout the side ataching straps and may be secured in place for athletes wear so as to provide an interchangeable structure for use both by inactive men as well as athletes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character which will eliminate the bulge in the trouser front while at the sametime allowing considerable freedom of the members enclosed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course'of the following description of the accompanying drawings, wherein, r a

Figure 1 is'a front elevational viewillustrating the manner in which the suspensory is supported by-the lower portion of the shirt and-the suspender'buttons ofthe trousers;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the suspensory showing the member-enclosing pocket in detail; 1 V V Figure 3 is a front elevational view-of the member-enclosing pocket, showing the flaps disconnected and the location of the supporting straps; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view "illustrating the location of the suspensory and the manner of suspending the'same from the wearers garments;

Figure 5'isa front elevational View of the suspensory, showing the manner in which the same trousers; and V V I Figure 6 is a front elevational View illustrating a modified form of member enclosing pocket.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustrating the invention and wherein like reference characters will be employed to designate like parts throughout the same, the reference character will generally be employed to designate a suspensory pocket for enclosing and supporting the scrotum of a wearer.

The suspensory pocket comprises a central elastic portion 6 which is stretchable laterally and longitudinally and the upper and lower marginal edges of the elastic portion 6 is provided with a hem l stretchable longitudinally of the elastic portion 6. Stitched to each end of the elastic portion 6 and marginal stretchable portion 1 are integrally connected tabs 8 and 9 secured in place by rows of stitches, as at I9 and II respectively. The structure including the tabs 8 and. 9 is substantially crescent-shaped and is provided with outer curved edges I2 and I3 which are co-extensive with the lower connecting portion.

The free ends l4 and I5 of the respective tabs 8 and 9 terminate above the elasticesection 9 and are cut-away as at it and I! co-extensive with the upper stretchablemarginal hem 1.

One of the tabs 8 is provided with a pair of spaced female snap fastener elements I8 for receiving male snap fastener elements I9 secured to the free end [5 of the tab 9.

Each tab is cut inwardly adjacent its free end as at 29 and2l to cause the tab sections to assume a spherical shape by'reason of the stitched overlapped sections 29 and 2|. The outer faces of the tabs 8 and 9 may be formed of relatively stiff material and a layer or lamination of soft pliable material may be securedto the under-face to present a soft surface to the wearers skin.

'The tabs 8 and 9 are connected-by'a flexible strap 22, the free ends of which are se'curedin ers T, to adequately hold the suspensory in posi-' tion. 7

The suspensory enclosingsack is wholly supported by the'straps 22 by a single point suspension member 25 comprising a snap swivel hook which has its hook portion 26 engaging the strap 22 and'its'swivel portion secured to a Y-coupling member 21 by means of a link 28.

The Y-connector 21 is provided with openings 29-on its upwardly extending portions for receiving hooks 39 carried by the lower end of a pair' of elastic straps 3| which are doubled upon themselves and are longitudinally adjustable by means of adjusting buckles32. Button receiving loops 33 are mounted on the extreme free ends of the elastic straps 3| and are adapted to receive one of the suspender' buttons 3410f the trousers T.

Also secured to the Y-connection 21 is a central suspension strap 35 formed ,of. elastic material and capable of being adjusted by means of a buckle Stand said straphas its lower endanchored in place by means of rivets or other fas-- tening elements 31 extending through the Y -connection 21 and the elastic strap-35.; The elastic strapi35 is formed of a double length of material so that the upper endwill provide a loop end; for receiving a button-hook 38. Midway between the ends of the strap 35 and substantially below the center thereof is formed a button-hole opening 39 for receiving one of the lowermost buttons 40 of the shirt S.

In applying the supporter, the wearer first dons the shirt S after the supporter is placed in proper position to enclose the members to be supported. The strap 35 is brought through the closure of the shirt at the lower portion thereof so that the button-hole 39 may receive the button 40 which is below the waist line and is generally provided on mens shirts to maintain the lower portion of the shirt closed below the waist line. The Y-coupling 21 is then supported by attaching the straps 3| to the suspender buttons 34 of the trousers T when the same have been put on in the usual man- 25 will remain in a centrally located position irrespective of twisting or turning movements by the wearer at the hips, thereby particularlyadapting the device to sports wear and to wearers engaged in extremeactivity.

In Figure 6, in the modified form of the invention, the reference character 5' will generally designate a member-enclosing pocket comprising a central elastic section 9' having marginal stretchable hem portions 7'. at the top and bottom.

Secured to the end of the central elastic s ction 6 are end flaps 8' and 9" securedin place bystitches l9, and II respectively. The end flaps 8' and 9' are curved as at lTco-extensive with the lower marginal edge -'l" of the central section.

The free ends l4 and E5 of the respectivetabs 8' and 9' terminate above the elastic section 6 and are cut-away as at lfi'and l'lf co-e xtensive with the upper marginal hem portion 1.

One of thetabs 8 is provided with a pair ofv spaced female snap fastener elements I8? for receiving the malesnap fastener elements 19' attached to the other tab 9".

Each tab is cut inwardly adjacent its free end.

as at 29 and 21 to cause the tab sectioirto-assume a sphericalbody shapeby reason-of the stitched overlapped section Miami-2|. The outer faces of the tabs 8'. and 9' maybe formed of relatively stiff material with an underlayer or lamination'of soft pliant material skin 'of the wearer. The tabs fl' and S' are strap 2.2, the free-endsof which are securedin adjacent the a place between marginal edge stitches 23 and 24' ment with the-bllttfin stiupon the fronttail.

portion of the shirt is operative for maintaining the tail port-ion of the .shirtin-the upper portion of the tronsers to prevent upward riding :oncreepof the shirt above the waist line of the trousers. If desired, the supporting strap devices arranged above the pccket-carryingstrap 22 may connected by-a flexible length as to be directly attached to the shirt button 49 or to another garment.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a suspensory of the character described, a pocket comprising an elastic central portion, an inelastic end portion secured to each end of the central elastic portion, said inelastic end portions adapted to overlie one another to provide a member encircling portion, a pivotal connection between the overlying end portions permitting movements of the central and end portions to adapt the suspensory to a comfortable support of the scrotum, a supporting strap for the suspensory having its ends attached to opposite sides of the suspensory, the intermediate portion of the strap adapted to have sliding support on a garment element whereby the garment element and strap may relatively move without disturbing the scrotum supporting position of the suspensory.

2". In a suspensory of the character described, a pocket-forming element comprising an elastic central portion and inelastic end portions, said element being adapted to be folded whereby the elastic central portion provides a pocket and the inelastic end portions overlie each other, a pivotal connection between the overlying end portions, a supporting strap attached to the element at opposite sides of the pivotal connection, a swivel connection between a body garment and an intermediate portion of said strap, said swivel connection being on the vertical central line of the pocket, the pivotal connection being so positioned relative to the points of connection of the supporting strap with said element whereby of the pocket and prevent escape of the scrotum from the pocket.

3. In a suspensory of the character described, a pocket comprising an elastic central portion, an inelastic end portion secured to each end of the central elastic portion, said inelastic end portions adapted to overlie one another to provide a member encircling portion and a pivotal connection between the overlying end portions, said pivotal connection being operative when the suspensory is placed in use, to automatically adjust the suspensory to the size and shape of the scrotum for the comfortable support thereof and to effect upward movement of the rear portion of the pocket and prevent escape of the scrotum from the pocket, a supporting strap for the suspensory having its ends attached to opposite sides of the suspensory and a garment-attached strap carrying a swivel element through which the intermediate portion of the strap slidably extends whereby the strap and swivel element may relatively move without changing the comfortable scrotum supporting position of the suspensory.

4. In a suspensory of the character described, a pocket-forming element comprising an elestic central portion and inelastic end portion, said element being adapted to be folded whereby the elastic central portion provides a pocket and the inelastic end portions overlie each other, the width of the edges of the inelastic end portions at the points of attachment to the central elastic portion being of a length to extend an appreciable distance over the rear upper edge of the pocket to provide an inelastic support for opposite ends of the upper edge of the rear upper edge of the pocket, a pivotal connection between the overlying end portions, supporting means attached to the element at opposite sides of the pivotal connection, the pivotal connection being so positioned relative to the points of connection of the supporting means with said element whereby said pivotal connection becomes operative when the suspensory is placed in use, to automatically adjust the suspensory to the size and shape of the scrotum for the comfortable support thereof and to efiect upward supporting movement of the scrotum and the rear portion of the pocket and prevent escape of the scrotum from the pocket, said supporting means comprising a supporting strap, a swivel connection between a body garment and an intermediate portion of said strap, said swivel connection being on the vertical central line of the pocket,

SOL T. NEV'INS. 

